BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

957-9:2003

Stationary training
equipment —
Part 9: Elliptical trainers, additional
specific safety requirements and test
methods

The European Standard EN 957-9:2003 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 97.220.30

12&23<,1*:,7+287%6,3(50,66,21(;&(37$63(50,77('%<&23<5,*+7/$:
BS EN 957-9:2003
This British Standard was
published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee on
14 June 2004
© BSI 14 June 2004
ISBN 0 580 43930 5
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EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 957-9
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM June 2003

ICS 97.220.30

English version

Stationary training equipment - Part 9: Elliptical trainers,

additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Appareils d'entraînement fixes - Partie 9: Appareils Stationäre Trainingsgeräte - Teil 9: Ellipsen-Trainer,

d'entraînement elliptiques, exigences spécifiques de zusätzliche besondere sicherheitstechnische
sécurité et méthodes d'essai supplémentaires Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 March 2003.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United
Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2003 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 957-9:2003 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 957-9:2003 (E)

Contents

Page
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ..............................................................................................................................................................5
2 Normative references ....................................................................................................................................5
3 Terms and definitions....................................................................................................................................5
4 Classification..................................................................................................................................................5
5 Safety requirements ......................................................................................................................................7
6 Test methods..................................................................................................................................................8
7 Additional instructions for use...................................................................................................................11
Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................................................12

2
 EN 957-9:2003 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 957-9:2003) has been prepared by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 136 “Sports, playground
and other recreational equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by December 2003, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest
by December 2003.

This European Standard is one of the series EN 957 “Stationary training equipment” which consists of the following
parts:

Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods

Part 2: Strength training equipment, additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Part 4: Strength training benches, additional specific requirements and test methods

Part 5: Pedal crank training equipment, additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Part 6: Treadmills, additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Part 7: Rowing machines, additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Part 8: Steppers, stairclimbers and climbers, additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Part 9: Elliptical trainers, additional specific safety requirements and test methods

Part 10: Exercise bicycles with a fixed wheel or without freewheel, additional specific safety requirements and
test methods

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following coun-
tries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

3
EN 957-9:2003 (E)

Introduction
This Part of EN 957 amends and supplements EN 957-1. The requirements of this specific European Standard
take priority over those in the general standard.

4
 EN 957-9:2003 (E)

1 Scope
This Part of EN 957 specifies safety requirements for elliptical trainers also described as cross training machines in
addition to the general safety requirements of EN 957-1 and should be read in conjunction with it.

2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies (including amendments).

EN 71-1, Safety of toys — Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties.

EN 957-1:1996, Stationary training equipment — Part 1: General safety requirements and test methods.

ISO 5904, Gymnastic equipment — Landing mats and surfaces for floor exercises — Determination of resistance to
slipping.

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN 957-1:1996 and the following
apply:

3.1
elliptical trainer
manually operated training equipment which can produce a continuous reciprocating elliptical foot action which can
include upper body training devices. Elliptical training functions as a continuous and reciprocating closed loop cycle

3.2
footplatform
pedal
device designed to support the foot whilst correctly performing the exercise procedure determined by the manu-
facturer

3.3
footplatform guard
pedal guard
fence
rigid part of the footplatform structure which is designed to prevent the foot moving off the footplatform whilst cor-
rectly performing the exercise procedure determined by the manufacturer

3.4
cycle
one cycle of an elliptical trainer equals from start to start through the full range of motion (360°)

4 Classification
The classification as defined in clause 4 of EN 957-1:1996 applies.

5
EN 957-9:2003 (E)

a) Elliptical trainer without movable handlebars b) Elliptical trainer

with movable handlebar

c) Elliptical trainer with movable and fixed handlebar

Key
1 Display
2 Resistance
3 Footplatform guard
4 Footplatform (pedal)
5 Movable handlebar
6 Fixed handlebar
7 Frame
Figure 1 — Examples of elliptical trainers

6
 EN 957-9:2003 (E)

5 Safety requirements

5.1 General

Depending on the design of the piece of equipment the following additional requirements to EN 957-1 shall apply
as appropriate.

5.2 External construction

5.2.1 Squeeze and shear points within the accessible area

Elliptical trainers shall be free of squeeze and shear points.

Test in accordance with 6.2.

5.2.2 Temperature rise

When tested in accordance with 6.3, accessible parts of the elliptical trainer shall not have a temperature greater
than 65 °C.

5.3 Intrinsic loading

5.3.1 Class H

Each piece of equipment of class H loaded with the user's body mass shall withstand 2,5 times the body mass
(100 kg) without breakage.

Test in accordance with 6.4.

5.3.2 Class S

The training equipment shall withstand four times the body mass (100 kg) without breakage.

Each piece of equipment of class S loaded with the user's body mass shall withstand two times the body mass
(100 kg).

When tested according to 6.4, supports (e.g. load-bearing surfaces) shall not be deformed by more than f = 1/100,
cantilever supports (cantilever surfaces) by more than f = 1/150 and other dimensions by more than 1 %.

A body mass of 100 kg is taken as the nominal load.

After the test

supports (e.g. load-bearing surfaces) shall not be deformed by more than f = 1/100;

cantilever supports (cantilever surfaces) by more than f = 1/150;

other dimensions by more than 1/100.

5.4 Handlebars

The handlebars shall show no permanent deformation of more than 3 % when tested in accordance with 6.5.

To reduce the danger of penetration the section of the tip of the handlebar shall have a minimum diameter of 50
mm. Test in accordance with 6.1.1.

7
EN 957-9:2003 (E)

5.5 Footplatforms

The footplatforms shall have a non slip surface of at least 300 mm  100 mm and with a friction factor of more than
0,5, when tested in accordance with ISO 5904.

The footplatform shall have a guard with at least 30 mm height along the inside edge and the front edge.

5.6 Stability

When tested in accordance with 6.6, the training equipment shall not fall over.

5.7 Endurance

When tested in accordance with 6.7, the training equipment shall withstand

12 000 cycles for class H and

100 000 cycles for class S.

After the test the training equipment shall be capable of functioning according to the manufacturer's instructions for
the correct use and shall not show any signs of damage.

5.8 Additional requirements for class A

The variation of the indicated or determined power P from the power input shall not exceed  5 W up to 50 W and
10 % over 50 W.

Test in accordance with the manufacturer's power measurement description.

5.9 Additional requirements for class B and class C

See EN 957-1.

The power shall not be given in watts.

6 Test methods

6.1 General

6.1.1 Dimensional check.

6.1.2 Visual examination.

6.1.3 Tactile examination.

6.1.4 Performance test.

6.2 Testing of squeeze and shear points

Apparatus:

test finger probe B in accordance with EN 71-1 for class H;

test finger in accordance with 6.5 of EN 957-1:1996 for class S;

test foot in accordance with Figure 2.

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 EN 957-9:2003 (E)

Approach all moving parts from all sides with the test finger probes to determine whether the fingers can become
trapped.

The test foot probe in accordance with figure 2 shall be placed below a height of 600 mm measured from the floor
in such a way that at least 3 points A rest upon the floor and/or upon the equipment. In this position the test foot
probe shall not be trapped by moving parts.

Determine whether the test finger and/or the test foot probes are trapped.

Dimensions in millimetres

Key
1 Front

Figure 2 — Test foot

6.3 Testing of temperature rise

Apparatus: contact thermometer, with an accuracy of  1 °C.

Test room temperature: between 18 °C and 25 °C.

Carry out these tests using (100  5) kg test subjects.

Operate the elliptical trainer at 60 cycles min  10 % for 20 min.

1

–1
The resistance shall be set at the maximum resistance or reduced until 60 cycles min can be maintained without
a pause between cycles.

Note whether the temperature of accessible parts of the elliptical trainer has exceeded 65 °C.

For speed dependent training machines carry out the test using a 100 kg load and a paddling speed producing a

mechanical power of 180 W 10 %.

See also EN 563.

9
EN 957-9:2003 (E)

6.4 Testing of intrinsic loading

Apply the required test load F for classes H or S without shock for 5 min in the balance position to one footplatform
(pedal). The load should be applied over a surface area of
90
01  mm 
90
0

1  mm in the most onerous position
(see Figure 3).

Remove the applied load and measure the deformation or check for breakage.

Repeat for the other footplatform (pedal).

Figure 3 — Test of intrinsic loading

The frame of the training equipment shall not be fixed to the floor during the test unless instructed otherwise in the
instructions for use.

6.5 Testing of handlebars

For non-movable handlebars, apply a test force of 1 000 N vertically in the most onerous position of the handlebar
for a period of 5 min.


Then apply a force of 500 N using a belt with a width of (80 5) mm in the same position as in the vertical test but
in the most onerous horizontal direction of the handlebar for a period of 5 min.

For movable handlebars load the footplatform with a nominal load on the same side as the movable handlebar
being tested. Apply a test force of 1 000 N in a dynamic direction in the most onerous position for a period of 5 min.

Then test the movable handlebar at 90° to the training direction. Apply a test force of 200 N in the most onerous
position for a period of 5 min.

6.6 Testing of stability

Carry out the test in the most onerous position.

 
A test person weighing (100 5) kg, height (1 750 50) mm shall train on the training equipment in a normal exer-
–1
cise position and operate the equipment at 60 cycles min for 1 min.

Tilt the training equipment 10° in both dynamic directions (forwards and backwards) and 5° in all other directions.

NOTE The dynamic direction is that direction in which the body parts of the user are moving.
10
 EN 957-9:2003 (E)

6.7 Endurance testing

For speed-independent elliptical trainers carry out the test at 60 cycles min
–1

10 %, using a body mass of 50 kg
for each pedal by 80 % of the maximum resistance. If the speed-independent elliptical trainer has a constant power
system, perform the test with 80 % of the maximum power plus a load of 10 kg in the most onerous position of the
handlebar.

For speed-dependent elliptical trainers perform the endurance test at 90 cycles min
–1
 10 %, using a body mass
of 50 kg for each pedal as follows:

a) for class H, 12 000 cycles for 15 min and rest time 15 min and continue the same pattern until complete;

b) for class S, 100 000 cycles without rest time for a period of 10 h.

Check the training equipment is capable of being used as per the manufacturer's instructions for use.

6.8 Testing of additional requirements for class A

Compare the mechanical power input to the power display.

The manufacturer shall explain within the operation manual how the power input versus displayed value is calcu-
lated.


The displayed value shall be within 10 % (below 50 W  5 W) of this measured value in watts using the test
parameters of the manufacturer, see clause 7 b).

The power input shall be the average of a 10 min test period.

The test apparatus shall be accurate to  1 % for each of the three variables.
6.9 Testing of additional requirements for class B and class C

See EN 957-1.

7 Additional instructions for use

In addition to clause 9 of EN 957-1:1996 easy-to-understand instructions for use shall be supplied with each ellipti-
cal trainer.

The instructions for use shall include information on at least the following points, depending on the class:

a) information on the braking system (speed-dependent/speed-independent);

b) for class A, the testing parameters, including the training speed and the resistance setting used in the test;

c) information about training: lower body, upper body and combined total body;

d) how to mount and dismount.

11
EN 957-9:2003 (E)

Bibliography

EN 563, Safety of machinery — Temperatures of touchable surfaces — Ergonomics data to establish temperature
limit values for hot surfaces.

12
blank
BS EN
957-9:2003
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